Safety belt release mechanism

Abstract

The safety belt release mechanism includes sensor and belt release components. The sensor is installed at a low point within the vehicle. The sensor contains water-soluble material that retains a spring in compression so long as the water-soluble material is dry. If the vehicle is immersed in water, the water-soluble material dissolves, releasing the spring. In one embodiment, the spring drives a pin into a pressurized gas (e.g., CO 2 ) cartridge, releasing the gas therein. The gas passes through a tube to the belt release component installed upon a belt latch mechanism, driving a pin from an engaged position in the latch to release the latch. In another embodiment, the spring acts directly to drive the latch pin from the engaged position to release the latch. While one such assembly is disclosed herein, it is most preferred that one such assembly be installed along each safety belt assembly of the vehicle.

We claim: 
     
       1. A safety belt release mechanism, comprising:
 a first safety belt portion; 
 a first latch component extending from the first safety belt portion and including a receptacle therein; 
 a second safety belt portion; 
 a second latch component extending from the second safety belt portion, the first and second latch components being selectively and directly connected to one another, the first and second latch components each having a latch pin passage disposed therethrough, the latch pin passages being aligned concentrically with one another when the first and second latch components are connected to one another, wherein the second latch component comprises a tongue selectively latching in the receptacle of the first latch component; and 
 an automated, water-activated sensor and actuator unit attached directly to the first latch component, wherein the sensor and actuator unit comprises:
 a housing having a first end defined by the first latch component, a second end opposite the first end, and a wall defining an interior chamber between the first end and the second end, the wall having at least one passage extending therethrough; 
 a water-soluble material disposed within the interior chamber of the housing adjacent the second end thereof; 
 a spring disposed within the interior chamber of the housing adjacent the first end thereof; 
 a plunger disposed within the housing between the spring and the water-soluble material; and 
 a latch pin extending from the plunger, the latch pin selectively extending from the first end of the housing. 
 
 
     
     
       2. A safety belt release mechanism, comprising:
 a sensor and actuator unit having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a wall defining an interior chamber between the first end and the second end, the wall having at least one passage extending therethrough; 
 a water-soluble material disposed within the interior chamber of the sensor and actuator unit adjacent the first end thereof; 
 a spring disposed within the interior chamber of the sensor and actuator unit adjacent the second end thereof; 
 a plunger disposed within the sensor and actuator unit between the spring and the water- soluble material; 
 a latch pin extending from the plunger, the latch pin selectively extending from the second end of the sensor and actuator unit; and 
 a safety belt latch assembly attached to the sensor and actuator unit, the safety belt latch assembly defining the second end of the sensor and actuator unit. 
 
     
     
       3. The safety belt release mechanism according to  claim 2 , further including a first latch component and a second latch component, the first and second latch components selectively and directly connecting to one another to form the safety belt latch assembly, the first and second latch components each having a latch pin passage disposed therethrough, the latch pin passages being aligned concentrically with one another when the first and second latch components are connected to one another, the sensor and actuator unit being attached to the first latch component. 
     
     
       4. The safety belt release mechanism according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the second end of the sensor and actuator body is removably attached thereto; and 
 the safety belt latch assembly comprises a first latch component and a second latch component, the sensor and actuator unit extending from the first latch component substantially normal thereto. 
 
     
     
       5. The safety belt release mechanism according to  claim 4 , wherein the water-soluble material is replaceably disposed within the interior chamber of the sensor and actuator unit, the removably attached second end permitting access to the interior chamber. 
     
     
       6. The safety belt release mechanism according to  claim 4 , wherein the removably attached second end of the sensor and actuator unit comprises a threaded cap. 
     
     
       7. The safety belt release mechanism according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first latch component includes a receptacle therein; and 
 the second latch component comprises a tongue selectively latching in the receptacle of the first latch component. 
 
     
     
       8. A safety belt release mechanism, comprising:
 a first latch component; 
 a second latch component selectively and directly connected to the first latch component, each of the latch components having a latch pin passage disposed concentrically therethrough; 
 an automated sensor and actuator unit attached to the first latch component, the sensor and actuator unit extending substantially normal thereto, the sensor and actuator unit having a latch attachment end attached to the first latch component, a spring housing portion adjacent the latch attachment end, a removable distal end opposite the latch attachment end, and a wall defining an interior chamber between the first latch component and the distal end; 
 a latch pin disposed concentrically within the sensor and actuator unit, the latch pin having a latch-securing end extending from the latch attachment end of the sensor and actuator unit and a plunger opposite the latch-securing end thereof; 
 a spring captured between the latch attachment end of the sensor and actuator unit and the plunger, the spring urging the plunger away from the latch attachment end of the sensor and actuator unit; and 
 a water-soluble material disposed between the plunger and the removable distal end of the sensor and actuator unit. 
 
     
     
       9. The safety belt release mechanism according to  claim 8 , wherein the first and second latch components each have a latch pin passage disposed therethrough, the latch pin passages being aligned concentrically with one another when the first and second latch components are connected to one another. 
     
     
       10. The safety belt release mechanism according to  claim 8 , wherein the wall of the sensor and actuator unit includes at least one passage therethrough, the at least one passage communicating with the water-soluble material disposed within the sensor and actuator unit. 
     
     
       11. The safety belt release mechanism according to  claim 8 , wherein the water-soluble material is replaceably disposed within the interior chamber of the sensor and actuator unit, the removably attached second end permitting access to the interior chamber. 
     
     
       12. The safety belt release mechanism according to  claim 8 , wherein the removably attached second end of the sensor and actuator unit comprises a threaded cap. 
     
     
       13. The safety belt release mechanism according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the first latch component includes a receptacle therein; and 
 the second latch component comprises a tongue selectively latching in the receptacle of the first latch component. 
 
     
     
       14. A safety belt release mechanism, comprising:
 a first safety belt portion; 
 a first latch component extending from the first safety belt portion and including a receptacle therein; 
 a second safety belt portion; 
 a second latch component extending from the second safety belt portion, the first and second latch components being selectively and directly connected to one another, the first and second latch components each having a latch pin passage disposed therethrough, the latch pin passages being aligned concentrically with one another when the first and second latch components are connected to one another, wherein the second latch component comprises a tongue selectively latching in the receptacle of the first latch component; and 
 an automated, water-activated sensor and actuator unit attached directly to the first latch component, wherein the sensor and actuator unit extends substantially normal to the first latch component, the mechanism further comprising:
 a latch pin disposed concentrically within the sensor and actuator unit, the latch pin having a latch-securing end extending from the latch attachment end of the sensor and actuator unit and a plunger opposite the latch-securing end thereof; 
 a spring captured between the latch attachment end of the sensor and actuator unit and the plunger of the latch pin, the spring urging the plunger of the latch pin away from the latch attachment end of the sensor and actuator unit; and 
 a water-soluble material disposed between the plunger and the second end of the sensor and actuator unit. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The safety belt release mechanism according to  claim 14 , wherein:
 the second end of the sensor and actuator unit is removably attached thereto; and 
 the water-soluble material is replaceably disposed within the interior chamber of the sensor and actuator unit, the removably attached second end permitting access to the interior chamber. 
 
     
     
       16. The safety belt release mechanism according to  claim 15 , wherein the removably attached second end of the sensor and actuator unit comprises a threaded cap.